Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister of Maori Affairs

10 October 2000
Media Statement

New Maori Land Court Judges Named

The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon Parekura Horomia, formally announced two new appointments to the bench of the Maori Land Court.

The Minister made the announcement in Parliament this evening, as part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Mr Horomia said the new appointments are both of high-calibre, with a proven history of work in the field of Treaty of Waitangi issues and had appeared before the Tribunal representing claimants.

The new Maori Land court judges named by the Minister were Ms Caren Wickliffe and Ms Carrie Wainwright. Mr Horomia said

"The competition was strong and the selection process rigorous and I'm sure their appointment will be the subject of debate. I wish them luck and courage for the job ahead is one of major importance."

Ms Caren Wickliffe is a Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of Graduate Studies at Waikato University, while Ms Carrie Wainwright is a partner in a corporate law firm in Wellington.

For further information contact

Ms Caren Wickliffe LLM

Ms Wickliffe possesses a comprehensive legal background through practice and her position as a Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of Graduate Studies at Waikato University. Ms Wickliffe has an extensive knowledge of Mäori legal issues through research and lecturing in Mäori land, Mäori Customary Law and Treaty Issues. She has appeared as counsel before the Waitangi Tribunal several times and represented a number of Mäori trusts as solicitor throughout her career. Ms Wickliffe has authored several major books and reports and published numerous international papers and articles of note concentrating on Mäori issues.

Ms Carrie Wainwright BA LLM (Hons)

Ms Wainwright has been a partner in Buddle Finlay for the past nine years. She has a solid background in Treaty of Waitangi issues, which began in 1988 representing the Fishing Industry Board in the Muriwhenua Fishing Claim and the Ngai Tahu claim. She was also seconded by Buddle Finlay to the Crown-Congress Joint Working party managing the settlement of Mäori claims to railway lands, in 1991 for two years. Her curriculum vitae, portrays a wide range of legal experience, in particular, with respect to matters Mäori. It should be noted that Ms Wainwright has trained as a mediator and uses her mediation techniques in dealing with disputes that arise within hapü she represents. She has also represented Ngati Pikiao in a mediation under the auspices of the Waitangi Tribunal.

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